The city says in mid-November, Simon contacted it, indicating it was ready to turn this property back over to Branson.

"They
really wanted, for their purposes, to be able to have a transfer of
ownership by the end of this year," says Kruithof, and concentrate on
the property it does own, the Shoppes at Branson Meadows.

But the city says Simon was -- and is -- a good neighbor and tenant.

"We hope they will be working with their tenants to move to the Meadows," adds Kruithof.

As for the 31-plus acres? The city says all options are open, and it's even talked about upping its sports marketing effort.

"Ball
diamonds, things such as that to attract people here and to bring their
children here to participate in competitive athletics then also stay in
Branson for all of the amenities that we have," says Kruithof.

Nothing will happen without approval of the Branson Board of Aldermen; two meetings are scheduled for later in the month.

One
business owner told KOLR10's Joy Robertson Thursday that he'd heard
nothing from Simon about this. Instead, he heard it from a real estate
agent yesterday who dropped in the store, so he says there was a
communication breakdown somewhere.

The City was only getting $126,000 a year in lease from Simon, plus $180,000 or so a year in sales tax revenue.

It
was a deal made back in 1986 when there was nothing there. The city
says Simon has maintained the property very well and built the
infrastructure, but that now it's time to do something else.

There has even been talk of a possible management agreement for six months to allow businesses to relocate.